Philadelphia Eagles 2011 Schedule: Way Too Early Game-by-Game Predictions

The National Football League released its official 2011 schedule at 7:00 p.m. today, despite the lockout that threatens to delay or even destroy the 2011 season.

Although it's way too early to make truly accurate predictions, I am going to analyze the schedule for the Philadelphia Eagles.

I will include a final game prediction and the updated record as I go through each week. 

Week 1: Sunday, September 11, at St. Louis, 1:00

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams scrambles to pass the football during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeate

This will be the first opportunity for the Eagles to face young quarterback Sam Bradford, who threw 18 touchdowns and won the NFL AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2010.

The Rams are coached by Steve Spagnuolo, who served as a defensive coach on the Eagles from 1999 to 2007. It will be interesting to see how well Spagnuolo's prior knowledge of the Eagles helps in this matchup, as well as whether or not Spagnuolo's defense can stop Michael Vick.

After all, Spagnuolo was the defensive coordinator of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, who held the Patriots' record-setting offense to just 14 points in Super Bowl XLII.

The Eagles are the better team, although the Rams are up and coming. It won't be 38-3 like the Eagles' season-opening victory against the Rams in 2008, but Philly will win.

Eagles 27, Rams 17

1-0 

Week 2: Sunday, September 18, at Atlanta, 8:20

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons rolls out to pass against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Packers won 48-21. (Phot

This game is highlighted by one thing: Quarterback Michael Vick returns to Atlanta as a starter for the first time since he left the team following the 2006 season. 

Yes, the Eagles did play at Atlanta late in the 2009 season, and Vick contributed two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing), but he didn't start and he really didn't have any impact on the game. 

He missed the Eagles' game against the Falcons in 2010, which was played in Philadelphia.

Throughout Andy Reid's tenure as head coach, the Eagles have always had the Falcons' number, winning eight of nine contests, including twice in the postseason.

But the Falcons game is the Eagles' second straight game to begin the season on the road. They'll probably suffer a costly injury in Week 1 and it'll affect them against Matt Ryan and the Falcons in Week 2.

Falcons 27, Eagles 17

1-1

Week 3: Sunday, September 25, vs. New York Giants, 1:00

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles eludes Matt Dodge #6 of the New York Giants and returns a punt for the winning touchdown as time runs out defeating the Giants 38-31 during their game on December 19, 2010 a

The last time the Eagles played the Giants, they pulled off the most incredible regular season win in franchise history. They've won six straight against the G-Men, including the 2008 divisional playoff game on the road.

It will be interesting to see how this game plays out.

I don't think the Eagles will sweep the Giants next season, but since they're the home team here, I'll go with them.

Eagles 23, Giants 20

2-1

Week 4: Sunday, October 2, vs. San Francisco, 1:00

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 14: Frank Groe #21 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during their game against the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park on November 14, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Niners will have a new head coach next season. Jim Harbaugh, the brother of former Eagles special teams coordinator and current Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, will take over for an NFC West team that should have easily won the division last year.

The 49ers need to figure out their quarterback situation, and until they do, they won't be a scary football team, especially against a defense that grabs interceptions like the Eagles.

Eagles 34, 49ers 17

3-1

Week 5: Sunday, October 9, at Buffalo, 1:00

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 02: Brian Brohm #4 and C.J. Spiller #21 of the Buffalo Bills run a play against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on January 2, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

This one has upset written all over it. The Eagles are clearly the better team and the Bills are, well, they're the Bills.

Ryan Fitzpatrick could be the quarterback, one year older and more talented, and who knows about CJ Spiller. He could be the next Jamaal Charles.

But let's be realistic. The Bills are still the Bills. They might make it close, but they'll lose.

Eagles 27, Bills 20

4-1

Week 6: Sunday, October 16, at Washington, 1:00

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines against play against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

One of the biggest storylines of the offseason should be whether or not Donovan McNabb returns to the Washington Redskins, but surprisingly the McNabb saga isn't receiving as much hype as I've expected.

I don't think he'll return. However, I'm not sure who the Redskins will draft at quarterback (or sign).

I'll say one thing though. Almost every year, the Eagles lose a game to the inferior Washington Redskins. 2011 won't be any different.

Redskins 23, Eagles 21

4-2

Week 7: Bye

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris

Andy Reid's bunch will enter the bye week with a 4-2 record, but annoyed at blowing an easy win against the Redskins.

They'll probably be banged up also, as they always are.

The bye week comes at a convenient time in the 2011 season. 

Week 8: Sunday, October 30, Dallas, 8:20

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PEBBLE BEACH, CA - FEBRUARY 11: Professional football player Tony Romo hits from the 10th tee box at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am- Round Two at the Spyglass golf club on February 11, 2011 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Get

Tony Romo had a lot of time to work on his golf swing last year due to an injured clavicle. (Actually it's hard to hit a golf ball with a broken clavicle. I admit that I just liked the picture.)

Anyway, the Eagles will face Romo for the first time since 2009, when the Cowboys handed the Eagles three embarrassing losses.

But Andy Reid has never lost after the bye week. He's 12-0.

Make that 13-0, as the fired-up Eagles pound on the 'Boys.

Eagles 44, Cowboys 24

5-2

Week 9: Monday, November 7, Chicago, 8:30

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears throws the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Eagles have played the Bears in each of the last four seasons. Each one has been extremely close, as the Birds lost 19-16 and 24-20, won 24-20, and lost 31-26.

This one will be just as close, as last year's second-best NFC team will give the Eagles a heck of a fight in Philadelphia. 

In the end, the Eagles win on David Akers' first-ever come-from-behind walk-off field goal (a 49-yarder).

Eagles 20, Bears 18

6-2

Week 10: Sunday, November 13, Arizona, 1:00

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a leaping 26 yard reception on fourth down during the fourth quarter of the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December

The last time the Eagles played the Cardinals, it was on Thanksgiving night. Quarterback Donovan McNabb had just been benched the week before in a brutal 36-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and the Eagles, as well as McNabb, didn't know what would happen with the quarterback situation for the rest of 2008 (McNabb threw four touchdowns and the Eagles throttled the Cardinals 48-20).

The Cardinals are a decent football team, but until they figure out what to do with their quarterback situation, they're not going to scare a team like the Eagles, who are better offensively and defensively.

Eagles 17, Cardinals 10

7-2

Week 11: Sunday, November 20, at New York Giants, 8:20

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Including the 2011 season, the Eagles will have played 14 of their last 29 November games on prime-time television. 

And regardless of what month it is, the Eagles always seem to play the Giants in prime-time football.

The Eagles beat the Giants 27-17 on Sunday Night Football in 2010. They won a shootout 45-38 on Monday Night Football in 2009. They lost a heartbreaker, 36-31, on Sunday Night Football in 2008. And they lost a blowout, 16-3, on Sunday Night Football in 2007. You have to go back to 2006 to find the last time the Eagles didn't play the Giants on prime-time at least once.

By the way, the seven-game winning streak against the Giants stops here. Warning: It got ugly.

Giants 38, Eagles 14

7-3 

Week 12: Sunday, November 27, New England, 4:15

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stands on the field during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa

The Eagles will never beat Tom Brady and the Patriots. The last time the two teams met, the 5-5 Eagles, with backup quarterback AJ Feeley starting, lost 31-28 to the soon-to-be 16-0 Patriots on Sunday Night Football. Before that, it was Super Bowl XXXIX. And there was a 31-10 blowout in 2003.

Reid isn't going to outcoach Belichick. And Brady isn't going to be scared of the Eagles' pass defense which allowed 31 passing touchdowns in 2010. 

Oh, and look for Woodhead and Green-Ellis to have a big day as well.

Patriots 34, Eagles 13

7-4

Week 13: Thursday, December 1, at Seattle, 8:20

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs for a 67-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, W

Nobody wants to have to play at Qwest field. Just ask the New Orleans Saints. 

But following the Eagles' most brutal two-game stretch since the first two weeks of the 2003 season, they won't care who they're playing or where the game is. 

Or if they have to play on half a week's rest. 

They're going to win.

Eagles 31, Seahawks 21

8-4

Week 14: Sunday, December 11, at Miami, 4:15

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 26: Running back Ricky Williams #34 of the Miami Dolphins breaks away from linebacker DeAndre Levy #54 of the Detroit Lions at Sun Life Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Lions defeated the Dolphins 34-27. (Photo by Mar

At 8-4, the Eagles will be right in the thick of the playoff hunt. This will be their last reasonably easy contest of the season.

They'll handle the Dolphins. 

But things will get tougher in the next few weeks.

Eagles 25, Dolphins 15

9-4

Week 15: Sunday, December 18, New York Jets, 4:15

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets reacts during their 2011 AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

You've probably heard by now that the Eagles have never lost to the New York Jets. They're 8-0 lifetime, including a couple of victories in the Andy Reid era.

Don't get used to that statistic, because it won't last.

Mark Sanchez, Darrelle Revis, Rex Ryan and the Jets will be too much for the Eagles, particularly Michael Vick, who will throw three interceptions and lose two fumbles.

Jets 23, Eagles 3

9-5

Week 16: Saturday, December 24, at Dallas, 4:15

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Miles Austin #19 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

With a 9-5 record, this game will probably make or break the playoff chances for the Philadelphia Eagles. Nobody would like to hurt those chances more than the Dallas Cowboys, who will likely be right in the middle of the hunt themselves. 

And they'll succeed, winning a shootout and putting a big blow in the Eagles' once-bright playoff hopes.

Cowboys 38, Eagles 34

9-6

Week 17: Sunday, January 1, Washington, 1:00

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 26: Ryan Torain #46 of the Washington Redskins dives for a touchdown over Don Carey #22 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at EverBank Field on December 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Gett

The last time the Eagles played the Redskins in the season finale, it was in 2005 and the 9-6 Redskins needed a victory to clinch a playoff spot. They got it, winning 31-20.

The Eagles will likely need to win this game to clinch a playoff spot. 

It won't be 44-6, but the Eagles will avenge their defeat from a few months ago. Expect a solid victory, putting the Eagles at 10-6 for the season.

Eagles 31, Redskins 17

10-6

Postseason Week 1: Saturday/Sunday, January 7/8, at New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants runs against the Philadelphia Eagles during their game on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

I won't beat around the bush. I think the Eagles will qualify for the postseason as the first Wild Card team, and the fifth overall seed in the NFC playoffs. The Giants will finish 11-5 and win the division.

And they'll knock the Eagles out of the playoffs in dramatic fashion, avenging postseason losses to the Eagles in 2008 and 2006. 

For the second time in his career, Eli Manning will win a game in the postseason. (He did win four games in the 2007 postseason but that's the only postseason where he's ever won a game.)

The Giants will advance to the NFC divisional playoffs against the top-seeded Green Bay Packers, a rematch of the 2007 NFC championship game.

Giants 23, Eagles 17 OT

* Author's note: Look for a revised article before the season starts.